Most people think of exfoliating as an abrasive way of stripping the skin of its natural oils. There are a number of ways to exfoliate the skin on your face and body without turning bright red; one of which is perfect for those with sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Muslin cloth

Warm a muslin cloth under a hot faucet, then remove any excess water. Use a cleanser on wet skin, and work the product in with your fingers. Gently wipe the cleanser off with the muslin cloth in large, downward swipes. After you’re done with this step, open the cloth and lay it directly over your face; this helps to open the pores and exfoliate skin without continuous scrubbing.

The Body Shop Muslin Cloth, $3.95

Scrub

Scrubs are the most popular way to quickly and effectively exfoliate the skin, and are available anywhere from the supermarket to a high-end department store. Apply a pea-sized amount over damp skin, then work the product in with your fingers. If your skin is sensitive, don’t use formulas with added microbeads since they could potentially cause additional redness.

DermaVeen Daily Nourish Facial Exfoliator, $12.99

Powder

If your skin is prone to redness and inflammation, use a powder exfoliator in your skincare routine. Not only are powders less abrasive, but they are also a great idea if you want your product to last forever.

Sprinkle a pea-sized amount into your hand, then add some lukewarm water to the mixture. Work up a lather, then apply over your face, neck and décolletage.

Dermalogica Daily Mircofoliant, $70

Manual exfoliators

A Personal Microderm (PMD) is a manual exfoliating system which helps to remove makeup, and unclog pores. Use with a gentle cleanser, scrub, or facial mask, and gently create a lather; focusing on areas such as the forehead, chin, and cheeks.

Clarisonic Mia 2 Pink, $199

What should I do now?

After you have exfoliated your skin, apply a gentle toner over the entire face. Focus the product into the t-zone, chin and cheeks since these are the places most women experience acne or scarring.

Wait for your skin to soak it all up, then apply moisturiser. Skin will feel soft, and smooth almost immediately!